Certified Mason (Bricklayer) Practice
Exam 1 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2025
Topic: Brick, Stone, and Block Construction
1. What is the primary purpose of a header brick in masonry?
A) To provide decorative texture
B) To tie the wythes together
C) To serve as a spacer
D) To act as a bond beam
Answer: B) To tie the wythes together
Rationale: Headers tie multiple wythes (layers) of brickwork together to improve
structural stability.
2. What type of mortar is most commonly used for load-bearing masonry walls?
,A) Type M
B) Type S
C) Type N
D) Type O
Answer: A) Type M
Rationale: Type M mortar has the highest compressive strength, ideal for load-
bearing masonry.
3. What is the minimum thickness of a typical single wythe concrete masonry
unit (CMU) wall?
A) 4 inches
B) 6 inches
C) 8 inches
D) 12 inches
Answer: C) 8 inches
Rationale: Standard CMU units are typically 8 inches thick.
4. Which tool is used to cut bricks precisely?
A) Trowel
B) Brick hammer
C) Jointers
D) Mason’s chisel
Answer: B) Brick hammer
, Rationale: Brick hammers are designed with a chisel end for cutting and splitting
bricks.
5. What is the function of weep holes in masonry walls?
A) To provide ventilation
B) To allow water drainage
C) To hold mortar
D) To anchor reinforcement
Answer: B) To allow water drainage
Rationale: Weep holes let trapped moisture escape from within masonry walls.
6. What does “cavity wall” construction mean?
A) A single layer of masonry
B) Two masonry walls with an air gap between
C) A wall made of concrete blocks only
D) A decorative brick wall
Answer: B) Two masonry walls with an air gap between
Rationale: Cavity walls have two wythes separated by a gap to reduce moisture
penetration and improve insulation.
7. What is the purpose of control joints in masonry walls?
A) To improve aesthetics
B) To accommodate thermal expansion and contraction
Exam 1 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2025
Topic: Brick, Stone, and Block Construction
1. What is the primary purpose of a header brick in masonry?
A) To provide decorative texture
B) To tie the wythes together
C) To serve as a spacer
D) To act as a bond beam
Answer: B) To tie the wythes together
Rationale: Headers tie multiple wythes (layers) of brickwork together to improve
structural stability.
2. What type of mortar is most commonly used for load-bearing masonry walls?
,A) Type M
B) Type S
C) Type N
D) Type O
Answer: A) Type M
Rationale: Type M mortar has the highest compressive strength, ideal for load-
bearing masonry.
3. What is the minimum thickness of a typical single wythe concrete masonry
unit (CMU) wall?
A) 4 inches
B) 6 inches
C) 8 inches
D) 12 inches
Answer: C) 8 inches
Rationale: Standard CMU units are typically 8 inches thick.
4. Which tool is used to cut bricks precisely?
A) Trowel
B) Brick hammer
C) Jointers
D) Mason’s chisel
Answer: B) Brick hammer
, Rationale: Brick hammers are designed with a chisel end for cutting and splitting
bricks.
5. What is the function of weep holes in masonry walls?
A) To provide ventilation
B) To allow water drainage
C) To hold mortar
D) To anchor reinforcement
Answer: B) To allow water drainage
Rationale: Weep holes let trapped moisture escape from within masonry walls.
6. What does “cavity wall” construction mean?
A) A single layer of masonry
B) Two masonry walls with an air gap between
C) A wall made of concrete blocks only
D) A decorative brick wall
Answer: B) Two masonry walls with an air gap between
Rationale: Cavity walls have two wythes separated by a gap to reduce moisture
penetration and improve insulation.
7. What is the purpose of control joints in masonry walls?
A) To improve aesthetics
B) To accommodate thermal expansion and contraction
